Bharatsinh Solanki Takes Charge as Gujarat Congress Chief

The newly-appointed Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee chief Bharatsinh Solanki today took charge.

Mr Solanki, who replaces Arjun Modhwadia, took charge at a function in Ahmedabad where hundreds of party workers were present.

"For the last 18-20 years Congress has faced reverses in the state. But it was due to party workers' selfless dedication that the party has sailed through difficult times," Mr Modhwadia said.

"But I am hopeful that the dark night for the Congress in the state is over and soon there will be a new dawn," he said, adding, that the Congress will come back to power in the state as Narendra Modi had shifted to Delhi.

Mr Solanki praised Mr Modhwadia saying that he had led the party in difficult times. He added that "times are changing now as people have realised in the state and in the country that government cannot be run only on promises."

Immediate goal was to win upcoming local body polls, he said, adding, that this was a good opportunity for the people to join the Congress as their future will be bright.

Mr Solanki was president of Gujarat Congress earlier between 2006 and 2008. He is son of former Congress Chief Minister Madhavsinh Solanki.

In a move to improve their electoral performance, Congress had recently appointed new chiefs for five states including Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Congress legislature party leader in Assembly Shankarsinh Vaghela said, "In Delhi, all BJP leaders, ministers and MPs campaigned but they lost to AAP. This shows that people are disillusioned with the BJP government which had promised Rs 15 lakh in each account."

"People are ready for a change but we have to be prepared so that if people want change, we are capable enough to represent them," he added.

Congress leaders Madhusudan Mistry, Gurudas Kamat, secretaries Sajjan Kumar Verma, Ashwin Sikri and all the state unit leaders were present